Health Violations Found AK 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Nikishka Bay

EPA ID: AK2241020 · 470 people served · 1 ZIP code

Unlike fully compliant utilities, Nikishka Bay has 1 outstanding EPA violation for approximately 470 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 82
Avg Safety Score
470
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0027 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
4
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Nikishka Bay Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Nikishka Bay's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 6% of homes in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

62 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
3 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 95% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Nikishka Bay compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 0700 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Alaska

City of Thorne Bay,
470 people
D 28 violations
Sand Lake Services
465 people
0 violations
0 violations
0 violations
Egegik
485 people
B 4 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Water Filtration
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $300

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $300 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Nikishka Bay (EPA ID: AK2241020) is a community water system in Alaska that serves approximately 470 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 99635 in Nikiski.

Average Home Safety Score: B (82/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 1 Yes

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
99635 0.0027 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Nikishka Bay (AK2241020) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nikishka Bay water safe to drink?

Nikishka Bay has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Nikishka Bay serve?

Nikishka Bay serves approximately 470 people across 1 ZIP code in Alaska.

Where does Nikishka Bay get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
135
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 470
Reported to Alaska

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Nikishka Bay safe to drink?
Nikishka Bay earns a B safety grade with 4 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Nikishka Bay's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Contaminant 0700. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Nikishka Bay serve?
Nikishka Bay serves approximately 470 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Nikishka Bay's water source?
Nikishka Bay draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Nikishka Bay's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0027 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
Where does Nikishka Bay get its water?
Nikishka Bay's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Nikishka Bay (EPA ID: AK2241020) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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